First, proving that you can be dishonest and get away with it. The legislature has never publicly acknowledged that it is the cause of the pension deficit. Instead, it has blamed teachers and other public employees.

Second, proving that you can be a lawbreaker and get away with it. The legislature has never completely fulfilled its constitutional mandate to pay into TRS and other retirement funds. Instead, it has robbed those pension funds for money while state employees and teachers have always paid their share.

Third, proving that the legislators are beholden to the wealthy and big business rather than all the people of Illinois. If the legislature was truly interested in remedying the budget shortfall, it would pass tax reform creating a graduated income tax to ensure the wealthy pay their fair share and it would stop granting tax cuts to big business.

Fourth, proving that the legislature doesn't care about truly fixing the state's economy in an honest way. It continues to support practices, such as allowing tax loopholes for the rich and granting "incentives" to big business, that have no solid evidence of working. Research and history prove that these practices actually cause more harm than good yet the legislature continues to harm the middle and lower classes for the benefit of the individuals and businesses who do little to support the infrastructure they use.

I applaud the legislators who voted "no" on the pension travesty that occurred yesterday. I wonder how the legislators who voted "yes" can rest in good conscience knowing that they proved once again that Illinois' elected officials are dishonest and unethical.